GSA #9408

April 23, 1997
Contact: Hap Connors
(202) 501-1231

WASHINGTON, D.C.--In support of The President's Summit for America's Future, David J. Barram, acting Administrator of the U.S. General Services Administration, today led a group of volunteers who spent their lunch hour providing computer software training to students of the Options School at the Capital Children's Museum.

"Our efforts today are but one step in a nationwide movement to become more involved in our communities by helping those who need a hand," Barram said. "We are answering the President's call to roll up our sleeves and help these children by giving them the skills and opportunities they will need to succeed in the future."

Earlier this year, GSA donated 14 computers to the Options School as part of the President's "computers-to-schools" initiative that encourages federal agencies to give excess computer equipment to schools.

Since then, Barram said that GSA's Central Office adopted the school, which serves "at-risk" children in grades 5 through 8. He said the agency is donating five more computers today and has pledged to provide continued support to the students by helping to keep the computer lab open after school with volunteers from GSA.

The President's Summit for America's Future will bring together people from across America in Philadelphia on April 27-29. The Summit is organized on the proposition that America's young people must have access to five fundamental resources that can help them lead healthy, fulfilling and productive lives:

� An ongoing relationship with a caring adult;
� Safe places to learn and grow;
� A healthy start;
� A marketable skill through effective education;
� An opportunity to give back through community service.

Barram said that GSA employees throughout the country are "giving back to their communities through voluntary service."